Wartburg Selected to Raise Inaugural A-R-C Women's Wrestling Trophy

10/16/2024 11:55:00 AM

By: Ali Wilson, A-R-C Assistant Commissioner

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Welcome to the inaugural season of women’s wrestling in the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C)! This groundbreaking moment marks a new chapter in collegiate athletics, as we celebrate the inclusion and growth of women's wrestling within our conference. As we release the first-ever A-R-C Women’s Wrestling Preseason Poll, we look forward to witnessing the talent, determination, and sportsmanship that will define this historic season.

Each of our participating programs brings unique strengths and competitive drive, and we are excited to see the athletes push boundaries and elevate the sport to new heights. The A-R-C is committed to fostering excellence both on and off the mat, and this season promises to be an unforgettable journey as we champion the next generation of trailblazing women wrestlers.

Let’s make history together! Read about all six programs below as we approach season one. 

2024-25 American Rivers Conference Women's Wrestling Preseason Coaches’ Poll

Rank

School (1st place votes)

Points

1.Wartburg College (4)24
2.University of Dubuque (1)20
3.Simpson College (1)19
T-4.Buena Vista University11
T-4.Central College11
6.Loras College5

The Poll: 

Wartburg is the coaches’ selection to win the 2024-25 A-R-C Women’s Wrestling title in its inaugural season as a conference championship sport in the league. The Knights were chosen first on four ballots and earned 24 points. Coaches are not permitted to vote for their own teams. Dubuque claimed the second spot with 20 points and one first place vote. Simpson comes in third with 19 points and one first place vote. Buena Vista and Central both earned 11 points and Loras rounded out the poll with five points. 

National Spotlight: 

At the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, the Wartburg Knights were ranked No. 13 in the country by the NWCA. The first rankings of the 2024-25 season have not been released yet. 

The Schedule: 

All six league teams will be in action on Saturday, November 2 to begin their seasons. Buena Vista, Central, and Simpson will all be competing at the Luther Hill Invitational hosted by Simpson while Dubuque, Loras, and Wartburg will head to Wisconsin for the Wisconsin-Stevens Point Open. 

The A-R-C Women’s Wrestling Tournament is slated for Saturday, January 25 at Loras College. This inaugural championship event will be an individual tournament format. 

Preseason No. 1 | Wartburg College Knights

Brady Kyner enters his third season as the head coach of the Wartburg Knights. The Knights return many familiar faces from last season’s invitational and continue to look to make improvements. 

Kyner will return Hope Chiattello, Liannette Ortiz, Khylie Wainwright, Afftynn Stusse, Kylie Rule, Ali Russler, Aniyah Kelly, Erika Peterson, Randi Nicholson, and Kami Senlycki as place finishers at the A-R-C Invitational last season. 

I am excited to kick off the 2024-25 season with our returners and incomers! We brought in three that were nationally ranked along with a transfer that was a national qualifier in the past. Our women are pumped up to be a conference sport and have the same opportunities to win a conference title!
Brady Kyner, Wartburg College Head Women's Wrestling Coach

Preseason No. 2 | University of Dubuque Spartans

Dennis Hall is entering year three leading the Spartans. He returns some talented women from last season that continue to eye progress. 

The Spartans will see Shea Reisel, Mattie Papenthien, Tatum Levendahl, Alex Hofrichter, and Brianna Seixas return as familiar faces to the mat this season. 

I am really excited that the A-R-C is hosting a conference tournament for women’s wrestling. The sport is growing at a fast rate and it is exciting to see the level of competition getting better every year.
Dennis Hall, University of Dubuque Head Women's Wrestling Coach

Preseason No. 3 | Simpson College Storm

Simpson is entering their third season and Jeff McGinness has been the head coach since beginning the program. 

The Storm return Kassidee Svaria, Sarah Zimmerman, Keeley Kehlri, Emaline Hicks, and Jalynn Goodale. Simpson will also welcome back Devyn Moor and Ashley Cannon, who were two of their four bracket winners from last year's invitational. 

Preseason T-No. 4 | Buena Vista University Beavers

Paige Storm is entering her third season as the head coach for the Beavers. 

Buena Vista will return Shania Graybill, Elizabeth Tapia-Banuelos, and Magalie Mogiga as starters from last season. Graybill and Mogiga were place finishers at the A-R-C Invitational last season.

As someone who has spent my entire life involved with wrestling, I am thrilled to lead a remarkable group of student-athletes into an official conference competition! This is a vital step in the continued growth of our sport. After a constructive reason last year, we have a nice combination of returners and new wrestlers who are looking to make their mark in the A-R-C!
Paige Storm, Buena Vista University Head Women's Wrestling Coach

Preseason T-No. 4 | Central College Dutch

Paige Baynes enters her third year in Pella building the women’s wrestling program. 

The Dutch return Leilani Asis-Nonog, Esther Belzer (Hughes), Aniya Coleman, Selena Snell, and Asia Young to the mat as returners this season. Belzer is a returning place finisher from last season's invitational. 

It is exciting to see the continuous growth of women’s wrestling; we’ve come such a long way! I think that we are still in the building phase of the program, with a lot of new talent, and a little bigger than last year. I am excited to see how the team will show up! It feels good to be competing in a sponsored sport and be able to have an official conference championship!
Paige Baynes, Central College Head Women's Wrestling Coach

Preseason No. 6 | Loras College Duhawks

Wil Kelly enters his second season with the Loras women’s wrestling program. 

He has Daniela Bernal, Mia Ward, and Isabela Baer as returning starters from last year who will compete on the mat again this season. 

Loras College is excited to begin our second season of women’s wrestling and the first year as a conference sport. Our roster is growing and more schools in the conference are adding women’s wrestling all the time. What an amazing opportunity to grow the sport that we all love so much.
Wil Kelly, Loras College Head Women's Wrestling Coach

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About the American Rivers Conference

The Conference dates back to December 8, 1922, when representatives from 12 colleges got together and formed the "Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Association." Honoring its heritage in Iowa and its expansion outside the state, the American Rivers Conference brand was established on August 9, 2018, to build on the academic and athletic success provided by its legacy, the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The A-R-C has nine full-time members: Buena Vista University, Central College, Coe College, University of Dubuque, Loras College, Luther College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Simpson College, and Wartburg College.